During a speech to the party faithful at the 1999 California State Republican Convention (Sacramento, CA, 2/27/99) former VP J. Danforth (Dan) Quayle announced:

``The political process in electing a president of the United States favors someone like me, someone who is an underdog ... I've always been an underdog, I've always won.''

I added the emphasis, but the speech shows why Quayle was a poor choice in 1988 and a poor choice today. Apparently, he still thinks he's the V.P. Somehow it has escaped him that, in fact HE LOST IN 1992!

Ok, that's just another "Quaylism" and you might say he was just overly enthusiastic and misspoke or was taken "out of context" and he obviously meant something else (Jeez, I hope so!). But time and again Quayle repeats two of his biggest mistakes,

1. Despite what he claims in his autobiography "Standing Firm" he's not a very good impromptu speaker. He frequently makes statements without taking the time to think what he is actually saying or how it is likely to be received by the current audience.
2. He doesn't surround himself with the type of intelligent and loyal assistants who can/will help him. He accepts staff as a favor to Reagan or some other politcal boss.

Whatever.   We must not elect Dan Quayle as President of the United States. Not because he is a complete idiot, I'm certain he is of at least average intelligence, despite what his buried college grades might indicate. But because he is not the right man for the job. We need a President who has high moral standards, superior intelligence and masterful interpersonal (political) skills.

Daniel Sherer